tag:http://www.destructoid.com/,2015:blogdestructoidhttp://bulk2.destructoid.com/ele2/images/destructoid/favicon.ico2012-09-20T11:00:00Ztag:http://www.destructoid.com/,2015:/post.phtml?pk=235386Jim Sterlinghttp://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Jim+SterlingRussian Borderlands 2 problems officially resolved2012-09-20T11:00:00Z2012-09-20T11:00:00Z<p><em><a href="http://www.destructoid.com/review-borderlands-2-235087.phtml" target="_blank">Borderlands 2</a></em> caused a <a href="http://www.destructoid.com/russia-forced-to-get-unwanted-region-locked-borderlands-2-235208.phtml" target="_blank">commotion in the East</a> when it was revealed that Russia and surrounding territories would be forced to buy a locked-down, Russian-only version of the game, despite not being warned before purchase. After days of justifiable outrage, 2K has officially resolved the issue.&nbsp;</p>
<p><span>"2K Games and 1C Company have updated the PC versions of <em>Borderlands 2</em> that are purchased from both retail locations and via digital distribution in Russia, the Baltic states, and CIS territories," said the company. "Consumers in these countries will now receive a bundle that contains both the 1C Russian language version of <em>Borderlands 2</em>, as well as the 2K Games worldwide (English, French, Spanish, Italian, German, and Japanese) version of the game. </span></p>
<p><span>"This gives consumers in these countries the widest range of options to both choose their preferred language and play with their friends across the world."</span></p>
<p><span>2K said that cross-version play won't be supported, but both versions can be installed if the customer wishes. While it's sad that this ever had to be a problem in the first place, it's great to see it fixed.&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><a title="Permanent Link to Russian Borderlands 2 Is All Fixed" rel="bookmark" href="http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2012/09/20/russian-borderlands-2-is-all-fixed/">Russian Borderlands 2 Is All Fixed</a>&nbsp;[Rock, Paper, Shotgun]</p> <p>
<img src="http://www.destructoid.com/ul/235386-aheader.jpg" alt="Russian Borderlands 2 problems officially resolved screenshot" width="620" border="0" />
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tag:http://www.destructoid.com/,2015:/post.phtml?pk=221439Jim Sterlinghttp://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Jim+SterlingDouble Fine reaps over $1 million in under 24 hours!2012-02-09T18:45:00Z2012-02-09T18:45:00Z<p>Rather than slowing down, the donations that gamers are sending Double Fine continue to be sent. For those just joining us, the studio is funding an <a href="http://www.destructoid.com/double-fine-to-fund-game-exclusively-through-kickstarter-221380.phtml" target="_blank">adventure game through Kickstarter</a>. It <a href="http://www.destructoid.com/double-fine-gets-game-fully-funded-in-a-matter-of-hours-221395.phtml" target="_blank">cleared its minimum goal</a> of $400,000 in just over eight hours, and has now more than doubled it within 24 hours of initiation.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Double Fine's game already has more backers than any other Kickstarter project, and the numbers just keep climbing. All funds earned over the now-tiny goal will be put back into the game and accompanying documentary, improving them both.&nbsp;</p>
<p>The header image in this post, by the way, is already hopelessly outdated. That figure is rising quickly!</p>
<p>The outpouring of support, and the evidence that gamers are more than happy to pay for a product if they like the people making it, is a joy to watch. I am absolutely loving this.&nbsp;</p>
<p><a href="http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/66710809/double-fine-adventure" target="_blank">Double Fine Adventure by Double Fine and 2 Player Productions</a> [Kickstarter]</p> <p>
<img src="http://bulk2.destructoid.com/ul/221439-df-adventure-kickstarter-1M_header.jpg" alt="Double Fine reaps over $1 million in under 24 hours! screenshot" width="620" border="0" />
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tag:http://www.destructoid.com/,2015:/post.phtml?pk=221395Jim Sterlinghttp://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Jim+SterlingDouble Fine gets game fully funded in a matter of hours2012-02-09T07:00:00Z2012-02-09T07:00:00Z<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.destructoid.com/double-fine-to-fund-game-exclusively-through-kickstarter-221380.phtml">Last night</a>, Double Fine announced that it would fund its next project -- an old school adventure game -- through <a target="_blank" href="http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/66710809/double-fine-adventure">donations from Kickstarter</a>. Less than twenty-four hours after the plan was enacted, the studio has surpassed its goal.&nbsp;</p>
<p>The aim was to raise $400,000 within thirty-four days, but during the course of a single short evening, over $495,000 was accrued. This morning, I was able to witness the funds go from <em>that</em> figure to $500,663. One backer contributed the grand amount of $10,000, which will earn him or her a dinner with studio head Tim Schafer. Seven people pledged $5,000, while thirty-five tossed $1,000 into the hat.</p>
<p>Smaller amounts were contributed in their thousands, showing just how much love and trust the developer has earned from gamers. The excess funds are going to be put right back into the game and the accompanying documentary, so by earning more money, the game can boost its voiceovers, music, and other features.&nbsp;</p>
<p>There's your feel-good, positive, this-industry-can-be-amazing-sometimes story for the day. Soak it in, people.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Oh yeah ... and the donations show no sign of stopping yet.</p> <p>
<img src="http://bulk2.destructoid.com/ul/221395-header.jpg" alt="Double Fine gets game fully funded in a matter of hours screenshot" width="620" border="0" />
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tag:http://www.destructoid.com/,2015:/post.phtml?pk=214151Jim Sterlinghttp://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Jim+SterlingInsomniac responds to 4/10 All 4 One review with dignity2011-10-20T14:15:00Z2011-10-20T14:15:00Z<p>Moments before yesterday's review of <em><a href="http://www.destructoid.com/review-ratchet-clank-all-4-one-214060.phtml" target="_blank">Ratchet &amp; Clank: All 4 One</a></em> went live, I received a message from Insomniac Games <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/insomniacgames/status/126745786850607104" target="_blank">via Twitter</a>. It said, "We will still love you, though you realize as a dev it's terrifying knowing Jim S's wit/snark/hate is about to crash down on us."</p>
<p>So yeah, that made me feel bad.&nbsp;</p>
<p>It's a common misconception that reviewers love to give negative reviews. Perhaps the sociopathic ones do. The rest of us are gamers, and it gives us no joy at Destructoid to have a bad time with a game and then write about it, especially with the rage that follows from both gamers and developers.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Except in this case, the anger came from only<em> one</em> of those sources and it wasn't Insomniac, a studio that may well be the classiest developer in the whole bloody industry.</p> <p>
<img src="http://bulk2.destructoid.com/ul/214151-header.jpg" alt="Insomniac responds to 4/10 All 4 One review with dignity screenshot" width="620" border="0" />
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<a target="_blank" href="http://www.destructoid.com/insomniac-responds-to-4-10-all-4-one-review-with-dignity-214151.phtml">Read more...</a>tag:http://www.destructoid.com/,2015:/post.phtml?pk=211996Jim Sterlinghttp://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Jim+SterlingTommy Wiseau would 'absolutely' direct a videogame movie2011-09-22T12:15:00Z2011-09-22T12:15:00Z<p><em>The Room</em> director and star of upcoming game series <em>The Tommy Wi-Show</em>, Tommy Wiseau, has stated that he'd "absolutely" like to direct a film based on a videogame property. During our exclusive interview with him on <a target="_blank" href="http://www.destructoid.com/podtoid-168-hotel-for-pigs-with-guest-tommy-wiseau--211958.phtml">Podtoid</a>, he applauded the technical achievements of games, and their value as artistic properties.</p>
<p>"Sure, this is the thing, you have to be open-minded. Entertainment's changing, constantly," he told us. "As you guys know ... from 35, to HD, to 'Super-HD' [as] I'm calling it right now. Yes, absolutely you can create a movie based on a game, based on the animation, I mean you can go [to] infinity. You have to be open-minded. Absolutely, the answer's yes, sure."</p>
<p>Tommy seems to have a genuine respect for gaming, stating it's "not just violence" and that it provides much needed "excitement" to the human brain. He is also very excited about gaming's educational value and stating that, "Everyone should play a game."</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.destructoid.com/podtoid-168-hotel-for-pigs-with-guest-tommy-wiseau--211958.phtml">Check out Podtoid</a> for our full interview with the man himself!</p> <p>
<img src="http://bulk2.destructoid.com/ul/211996-header.jpg" alt="Tommy Wiseau would 'absolutely' direct a videogame movie screenshot" width="620" border="0" />
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tag:http://www.destructoid.com/,2015:/post.phtml?pk=195978Jim Sterlinghttp://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Jim+SterlingStudy: Violent videogames can help stop nightmares2011-03-08T22:30:00Z2011-03-08T22:30:00Z<p>It's not every day that one gets to promote a positive study about videogames, so it's with pleasure that I bring you this slice of happiness -- videogames may help some people to cope with nightmares.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Jayne Gackenbach has turned the "games desensitize people" argument on its head, theorizing that if games <i>do</i> indeed desensitize people to horrific images, they may be beneficial to those who suffer from harrowing dreams. The study was conducted with soldiers to see if they would sleep better after their stressful experiences.&nbsp;</p>
<p>"I would see many soldiers, in combat, with PSPs or anything we could hook up to 220v electricity," said the researcher. "When soldiers weren&rsquo;t on patrol, we often had violent war games on our systems. It was weird. Like we didn&rsquo;t get enough violence.&nbsp;They&rsquo;re taking (Playstation 3&prime;s, XBox 360&prime;s and other consoles) into the field and playing them all the time, And it turns out, there may be a good reason to let them do that."</p>
<p>Of course, no study is gospel, but it's interesting to think about. Soldiers definitely game as much as anyone else, and it seems that playing simulated violence might prove cathartic after dealing with the real-world stuff. In any case, it's better than suggesting that games make people <a href="http://www.destructoid.com/-games-cause-rape-psychologist-says-even-more-dumb-crap-193810.phtml" target="_blank">go out and do raping</a>.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.newscientist.com/blogs/onepercent/2011/03/can-video-games-quell-nightmar.html">Can video games quell nightmares?</a> [New Scientist, via <a target="_blank" href="http://www.hotbloodedgaming.com/2011/03/08/study-shows-playing-video-games-can-help-quell-nightmares/">HBG</a>]</p> <p>
<img src="http://bulk2.destructoid.com/ul/195978-header.jpg" alt="Study: Violent videogames can help stop nightmares screenshot" width="620" border="0" />
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tag:http://www.destructoid.com/,2015:/post.phtml?pk=192305Jim Sterlinghttp://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Jim+SterlingApple takes down stolen game following Internet uproar2011-01-23T07:00:00Z2011-01-23T07:00:00Z<p>Recently <a href="http://www.destructoid.com/another-iphone-game-rip-off-the-blocks-cometh-191647.phtml" target="_blank">we posted about</a> <i>The Blocks Cometh</i>, a Flash game that was stolen and ported to the iPhone without the developer's permission. Apple <a href="http://www.destructoid.com/apple-doesn-t-seem-to-take-theft-seriously-192196.phtml" target="_blank">seemed to do nothing about it</a>, so Destructoid kicked up a stink, which was then noticed and echoed by the folk at <a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/casualgamer/related/f2y3j/blocks_cometh_stolen_ripoff_on_the_apple_app_store/" target="_blank">Reddit</a>. And guess what ... it actually <i>worked</i>!</p>
<p>"The shitstorm cometh on the internet and someone at apple caught wind of it. <i>The Blocks Cometh</i> is no longer in the app store," says Halfbot's Derek Laufman. "Now I still haven't heard anything from Apple on the matter so it's hard to say if this is a permanent take down or just a temp one while they do their legal process. Anyways it's definitely a victory in our book!"</p>
<p>Derek extended his thanks to the Destructoid community and everybody else who raised awareness about the IP theft. It seems that stomping your feet and kicking up a fuss actually works sometimes and I couldn't be more pleased.</p>
<p>Good things happened and gamers helped make it so! Great stuff!</p> <p>
<img src="http://bulk2.destructoid.com/ul/192305-headarz.jpg" alt="Apple takes down stolen game following Internet uproar screenshot" width="620" border="0" />
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tag:http://www.destructoid.com/,2015:/post.phtml?pk=176011Dale Northhttp://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Dale+NorthHelp MLB 10 The Show donate to cancer research2010-06-10T12:40:00Z2010-06-10T12:40:00Z<p>SCEA, MLB, and the Stand Up to Cancer organization have all partnered up for a new program that will bring money to cancer research. You're part of the plan too, dearest gamer. SCEA says that they will donate $10 to SUtC for every copy of<i> MLB 10 The Show</i> purchased for the PS3 from June 13th through July 10th.</p>
<p>Think about it: You could save the world with a videogame purchase. No, save the <i>real</i> world.</p>
<p>Oh, and <i>MLB 10 The Show</i> is no slouch, folks. When chatting with a certain employee of a games publisher that makes mostly RPGs, I was surprised to hear that this person's most anticipated game was this, a baseball game.</p>
<p>You can read our review of <i>MLB 10 The Show</i> <a target="_blank" href="www.destructoid.com/review-mlb-10-the-show-168532.phtml">here</a>.</p> <p>
<img src="http://bulk2.destructoid.com/ul/176011-Joe-Mauer-1-620x.jpg" alt="Help MLB 10 The Show donate to cancer research screenshot" width="620" border="0" />
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tag:http://www.destructoid.com/,2015:/post.phtml?pk=173270Samit Sarkarhttp://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Samit+SarkarMy day with the MLB 2K10 perfect game $1 million winner2010-05-11T16:00:00Z2010-05-11T16:00:00Z<p>This year, 2K Sports decided to do something unprecedented to market their baseball game, <i>Major League Baseball 2K10</i> -- in an effort to highlight the game&rsquo;s improved pitching system, they offered a <a href="http://www.destructoid.com/throw-a-perfect-game-in-mlb-2k10-win-1-000-000-161833.phtml" title="Destructoid - Throw a perfect game in MLB 2K10, win $1,000,000" target="_blank">$1 million cash prize</a> to the first person to throw a perfect game. This past Wednesday, they announced the winner: 24-year-old Wade McGilberry of Semmes, Alabama, who accomplished the feat on the game&rsquo;s launch day, March 2nd. <br /><br /> On Friday, 2K Sports invited a bunch of New York-area press folks, including yours truly, to a day of real and videogame baseball at Citi Field, home of the New York Mets (y&rsquo;know, the New York baseball team that <i>doesn&rsquo;t</i> have 27 world titles). I met the million-dollar man himself -- that&rsquo;s him up there, along with his wife, Katy -- and faced off against him in <i>MLB 2K10</i>. Hit the jump to find out how it went down, and check out the gallery for 17 photos from the event, including the game between the San Francisco Giants and the Mets that night!</p> <p>
<img src="http://bulk2.destructoid.com/ul/173270-mlb-2k10-perfect-game-winner_header.jpg" alt="My day with the MLB 2K10 perfect game $1 million winner screenshot" width="620" border="0" />
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<a target="_blank" href="http://www.destructoid.com/my-day-with-the-mlb-2k10-perfect-game-1-million-winner-173270.phtml">Read more...</a>tag:http://www.destructoid.com/,2015:/post.phtml?pk=135235Matthew Razakhttp://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Matthew+Razak97% of teens play videogames, remaining three are in comas2009-06-07T13:00:00Z2009-06-07T13:00:00Z<p>Did you know that videogames were kind of a big deal? Evidently they're immensely popular with teenagers these days. Those younguns don't know how the games will rot their brains and eat their souls so they play them. In fact, according to a <a href="http://pewresearch.org/pubs/953/teens-video-games-and-civics">Fall 2008 study</a> on videogames and their civic influences conducted by PewResearch Center, 97 percent of teens play videogames of some sort (99 percent of boys and 94 percent of girls). Now, this of course means anything from <i>Gears of War</i> to <i>Tetris</i> on your phone, but it's still a big number.</p><p>Also according to the study, 50 percent of all teens have played a videogame in the past day and 86 percent of them played that game on a console while 73 percent play them on a computer. Even cell phone games have a strong showing with 48 percent. As for the main purpose of the research it turns out that your civic outcomes aren't affected by how much you play videogames, meaning no matter how much gaming you do you won't become a better person through quantity of games played. </p><p>However, one can become a better person by playing certain types of games. The study found that if you play games with others in the room you are apt to be more civic minded, whereas if you simply play online your inclinations are not as civic minded. So if you're looking to do good in the world gather some friends together and bust out the <i>Wii Sports</i> or <i>Halo</i>, evidently it will make you a better person. </p><p>&nbsp;</p> <p>
<img src="http://bulk2.destructoid.com/ul/135235-teens.jpg" alt="97% of teens play videogames, remaining three are in comas screenshot" width="620" border="0" />
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tag:http://www.destructoid.com/,2015:/post.phtml?pk=124051Jim Sterlinghttp://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Jim+SterlingCall of Duty stopped Rabbi being scared of Nazis2009-03-07T08:55:00Z2009-03-07T08:55:00Z<p>Remember when you were a kid and thought that a Nazi lived under your bed, so your parents had to scare it away? Maybe that was just me, but I know that at least one person still grew up with a fear of Ze Germanz, and that was Rabbi Micah Kelber, who has actually praised videogames and <i>Call of Duty: World at War </i>not only for their visceral content, but for their ability to <a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/%7Er/MultiplayerBlog/%7E3/oPNa-Ah7shA/" target="_blank">help him fear Nazis less</a>. Pretending to explode their heads like ripe watermelons will do that. </p><p>&quot;Over and above their ease of use, story and visual appeal, video games can also become important cultural experiences when the creators make the world psychologically <i>significant</i> to the user,&quot; he explains. &quot;By making a World War II video game that is more realistic, and with more opportunities to make choices than any previous one, software developer Treyarch has created a game that can provide deep insights about violence, history and the Nazis&rsquo; significance as psychological demons.&quot;</p><p>Kelber heaps praise upon <i>Call of Duty: World at War</i>, and discusses his feelings as a Jew playing the final stage, where the Russian forces storm the Reichstag: &quot;As a Jew, being involved in virtually ending World War II allows you to experience the closest thing possible to killing the sense of victimhood created by the Holocaust. And you do it without actually hurting any real people. In fact, it&rsquo;s so satisfying that when you get to shoot down the golden eagle on the Reichstag, while sniping headshots at flame-throwing Nazis, you simply don&rsquo;t want the war to end. This is weird, of course, because the war&rsquo;s end is the ultimate goal of the game, as well as your desperately fought aim in real life.&quot;</p><p><i>CoD</i>'s greatest achievement, however, is ending Kelber's fear of Nazis, which he explains: &quot;One morning, I woke up extremely aware that I had just had a Nazi dream. No surprise, given that I wrote this review and played the game late into the night. But I was shocked that it did not scare me as it would have done in the past: The back of my neck was dry. The game had subconsciously flipped a switch. Although clearly there are still very real threats to Jews around the world, the feeling that Nazis were a threat to my existence was created by teachers and rabbis, rightly making sure that I knew my history. In truth, that <i>specific</i> anxiety was not real, but virtual. And I could vanquish it virtually, as well.&quot;</p><p>Go check the <a href="http://forward.com/articles/103375/" target="_blank">whole review out</a>, as it's a terrific read and incredibly encouraging. It's always nice to see videogames get the respect they deserve, not least when a bloody <i>Rabbi</i> is giving it. Many thanks to Micah Kelber for a great piece of work on the power of gaming. </p> <p>
<img src="http://bulk2.destructoid.com/ul/124051-waw.jpg" alt="Call of Duty stopped Rabbi being scared of Nazis screenshot" width="620" border="0" />
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tag:http://www.destructoid.com/,2015:/post.phtml?pk=118980Jim Sterlinghttp://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Jim+SterlingStudy: Everything about videogames is bad2009-01-23T13:00:00Z2009-01-23T13:00:00Z<p>A <a href="http://www.gamepolitics.com/2009/01/23/byu-study-video-games-are-bad-you-so-many-ways" target="_blank">new study</a> fresh out of Utah is claiming that there are no positive side effects of videogames whatsoever, and that even non-violent gaming has a negative impact on your life. That's right, every single videogame is now bad for you. It's also a <i>total coincidence</i> that this study came from Jack Thompson-loving Utah, where a new videogame legislation is trying to be created. </p><p>According to this study, published in the <a href="http://www.springerlink.com/content/w487673k5415k142/?p=9429dfa722d54b68adea31677b5b8f6d&amp;pi=5" target="_blank">Journal of Youth and Adolescence</a>, games have a negative impact on the social relationships of the people who play them. I am going to have to inform my friends and family that I can no longer interact with them. I should probably get divorced too, since I can't maintain a relationship ... the study said so! Here's what else it said ...</p><ul><li>The more the students play video games, the worse their relationships are with friends and parents (although this effect is modest)</li><li>Those who play video games daily smoke pot twice as much as other players and three times more than those who never play</li><li>Young women who play often have lower self-esteem</li></ul><p>&quot;Everything we found associated with videogames came out negative,&quot; <a href="http://deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,705279681,00.html" target="_blank">claims</a> BYU professor Laura Walker. She doesn't state that we should ban videogames, preaching moderation over elimination, but maintains that the more you play games, the more of a mess you're going be.<br /><br />&quot;I assumed violent videogames would be related to lower relationship quality with friends and family,&quot; states college senior Alex Jensen. &quot;I didn't expect regular videogames &mdash; nonviolent video game use &mdash; would be correlated to lower relationship quality.&quot;</p><p>Well you're f*cked, Jensen, you hear me? You've played videogames, and now you're <i>f*cked</i>!</p> <p>
<img src="http://www.destructoid.com/elephant/ul/118980-coffin.jpg" alt="Study: Everything about videogames is bad screenshot" width="620" border="0" />
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tag:http://www.destructoid.com/,2015:/post.phtml?pk=82996Jim Sterlinghttp://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Jim+SterlingDear Namco & Interplay, don't screw up 2008-04-23T17:31:30Z2008-04-23T17:31:30Z<p>Dear Namco &amp; Interplay,</p><p>You may be wondering why I am addressing this humble letter to both of you, for on the surface, you have nothing to do with each other. You are two completely different companies in two completely different places. However, you are inextricably mentally linked right now due to the proximity with which announcements were made regarding two of your venerable retro IPs -- namely <a href="http://www.destructoid.com/a-new-splatterhouse-what-yes--82811.phtml" target="_blank"><i>Splatterhouse</i></a> and <a href="http://www.destructoid.com/oh-yeah-new-earthworm-jim-as-well-82820.phtml" target="_blank"><i>Earthworm Jim</i></a>, respectively.</p><p>In this letter, I want to make a request to both of you. I know I am but a humble blogger, but please heed my call. You see, I don't want either of you to drop the ball here. You don't need me to tell you, but you each have in your hands a pair of titles that hardcore gamers know well, and would love to enjoy all over again. But it is not just one's selfish desire for a good game that has urged me to write this, it is something slightly more than that. I am not merely writing this for myself, but for all gamers who found the day in which two long dead franchises rose from the ashes to be a good one. Together, you did the impossible. The unthinkable. The amazing. </p><p>You made gamers happy.</p> <p>
<img src="http://www.destructoid.com/elephant/ul/82996-namcointerplay.jpg" alt="Dear Namco & Interplay, don't screw up screenshot" width="620" border="0" />
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<a target="_blank" href="http://www.destructoid.com/dear-namco-interplay-don-t-screw-up-82996.phtml">Read more...</a>tag:http://www.destructoid.com/,2015:/post.phtml?pk=76803Jim Sterlinghttp://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Jim+SterlingThe Podcastle episode 08: Why it's good to be a European gamer2008-03-20T15:51:27Z2008-03-20T15:51:27Z<p>Somehow we managed it, but we've constructed an entire show about how good it is to be a European gamer. Actually, that's a total lie. Wardrox came up with fifteen reasons and we absolutely destroyed them because we are so awesome and really strong and the fastest race car drivers. </p><p>Sterling, Wardrox, Atheistium and Professor Pew join up for another slice of stupidity and swearing. Tune in for the following highlights:</p><p><b>Atheistium's American adventures!</b></p><p><b>Wardrox's take on Play.com Live in all its rubbish glory!</b></p><p><b>Professor Pew's accent!</b></p><p><b>AI in videogames and why it's all a lie!</b></p><p><b>Jim's twisted childhood!</b></p><p><b>Competition winners!</b></p><p><b>Masturbatory pressure points!</b></p><p><b>Hatred against everyone in Europe!&nbsp;</b></p><p><b>Some of the most twisted logic ever devised to try and not admit that being a Euro gamer is awful!</b></p><p>All this and (sadly) more, coming to a Podcastle near you! <a href="http://www.podtoid.com/podcastle/2008/03/20/the-podcastle-episode-08-why-its-good-to-be-a-european-gamer/" target="_blank">Get it now from our official page</a>.</p> <p>
<img src="http://www.destructoid.com/elephant/ul/76803-podcastle08.jpg" alt="The Podcastle episode 08: Why it's good to be a European gamer screenshot" width="620" border="0" />
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tag:http://www.destructoid.com/,2015:/post.phtml?pk=75520Jim Sterlinghttp://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Jim+SterlingManhunt 2 UK ban is lifted! Let the controversy begin anew2008-03-14T08:11:08Z2008-03-14T08:11:08Z<p>As you should know, we have been covering the BBFC's ban of <i>Manhunt 2</i> for the past year, from the original decision, to Rockstar's appeal, and the BBFC's counter. Well, it seems that freedom of expression has won out, as the BBFC <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7296278.stm" target="_blank">has today lost</a> in its attempts to keep <i>Manhunt 2</i> from store shelves. The BBFC, in its own words, has &quot;no alternative&quot; but to give the game an 18 rating. </p><p>After a nine month battle, which saw the BBFC take its decision to the High Court in an attempt to keep this title away from sensitive British eyes, the Video Appeals Committee has upheld its decision to have the game rated and made available, scoring one for civil liberty.</p><p>I don't think this game looks good at all, and I have no strong urge to play it, but it should always have been <i>my</i> choice, not some faceless clique's. Now I will have the option to look at <i>Manhunt 2</i> on a store shelf and say &quot;this game looks rubbish, do not want.&quot;&nbsp;</p><p>The BBFC always tried to claim this game would present &quot;considerable harm&quot; to society, but thanks to its own brand of controversy, <i>Manhunt 2</i> is guaranteed to have more promotion and sales than it would have if the BBFC had just taken the barbed wire out of its minge and rated it. I fully expect the inevitable slew of scaremongering and calls for further banning from mainstream press to do the same for Rockstar's title. The sad thing is, <i>Manhunt</i> doesn't even deserve that kind of promotion.&nbsp;</p><p>[Thanks, Fanfaz]</p> <p>
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tag:http://www.destructoid.com/,2015:/post.phtml?pk=53626Tristerohttp://www.destructoid.com/blogs/TristeroInterview with Surfer Girl, darling tipster of the industry underground2007-11-13T20:02:00Z2007-11-13T20:02:00Z<p><img src="http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/6210/whosurfergg7.jpg" border="0" title="&#2350;&#2375;&#2352;&#2368; &#2350;&#2305;&#2337;&#2352;&#2366;&#2344;&#2375; &#2357;&#2366;&#2354;&#2368; &#2344;&#2366;&#2357; &#2360;&#2352;&#2381;&#2346;&#2350;&#2368;&#2344;&#2379;&#2306; &#2360;&#2375; &#2349;&#2352;&#2368; &#2361; " width="550" height="375" /></p><p>If you've had your ear to the ground, then you're probably aware of the feisty diva of gossip and news who splashed onto the videogame press scene this year. <a href="http://softrockhallelujah.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Surfer Girl Reviews Star Wars</a> has quickly become one of my favorite blogs to visit. After breaking the news on three major titles this year (<i>LA Noire</i>, <i>Prince of Persia 4,</i> and <i>Brutal Legend</i>) many of us quickly became glued to her site, waiting for further predictions. And she's certainly delivered, giving us pithy hints on future <i>Wario</i> titles, and glimmers of hope on <i>Beyond Good and Evil 2</i>. Better yet, she's interspersed her multitude of insider tips with passionate asides on current political issues of human rights, torture, and imperialism. </p><p>Surfer Girl shrouds herself in secrecy though. She's stated she plays an insider role in the industry, but all attempts at discovering her identity are quickly rebuffed. Message threads on the Internet have proliferated rapidly, metastasizing into a giant smorgasbord of speculation, attributing her writings to everyone from Jade Raymond on down to Peter Moore. As her tips and ponderings multiply daily, her readership can only wait to see if the house of cards she built will stand firm. So far she's gotten a lot of things right. Can she sustain the pace as developers churn forward? Will her incisive whispers materialize into real games we can play? </p><p>Hit the jump for the coy and entertaining interview Surfer Girl was gracious enough to provide us. She also interviewed me in return for her site, which you can view <a href="http://softrockhallelujah.blogspot.com/2007/11/surfer-girl-inteviews-tristero.html" target="_blank">here</a>. And seriously, please check out her blog. It'll keep you pleasantly puzzled for days. </p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.destructoid.com/interview-with-surfer-girl-darling-tipster-of-the-industry-underground-53626.phtml">Read more...</a>tag:http://www.destructoid.com/,2015:/post.phtml?pk=44062Leigh Alexanderhttp://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Leigh+AlexanderChewy, chocolate-coated gummy proposal: Viva Pinata love2007-09-13T07:50:50Z2007-09-13T07:50:50Z<p>So we know that wedding proposals take place in MMOs all the time, sweet touching moments of deep connection that occur when real people start to forget that Azeroth is not a real place, as their concept of reality becomes ever more distant. Then come ceremonies that are so nerdy you feel embarrassed when your galpal hauls out the wedding video, and would prefer to avoid watching it because the conflagration of geek is visceral enough that just by watching it, it seems you can almost scent the room's odor discoloring, faintly. </p><p>Do videogame proposals result in happy marriages? Only time will tell if they bear some other fruit besides humiliating, awkward nights in when one person just doesn't feel like wearing the elf ears and tension fills the air -- but until then, a good alternative is to propose to your girl in games that are a little bit cuter and mass-appealing.</p> <p>Such was the idea that a dewy-eyed paramour from Jacksonville, FL had when he decided to take his attempt to convert his lady-love into a gamer to the next logical step -- <a href="http://pinataisland.info/forum/showthread.php?t=5808">in <i>Viva Pi&#328;ata</i>, of all things</a>. Hit the jump to read all about it.&nbsp; </p> <p>
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<a target="_blank" href="http://www.destructoid.com/chewy-chocolate-coated-gummy-proposal-viva-pinata-love-44062.phtml">Read more...</a>tag:http://www.destructoid.com/,2015:/post.phtml?pk=38677SRVSLPShttp://www.destructoid.com/blogs/SRVSLPSTrickle down Nintendonomics is alive and well: Ronald Reagan would be so proud2007-08-16T12:40:00Z2007-08-16T12:40:00Z<p>You may not have given it much thought up until now, but Nintendo's success with the Wii has been a blessing to all sorts of people you wouldn't normally associate with the videogame industry. If you recall earlier, the Wii has been used as everything from a stroke rehabilitation device, to a <a href="http://www.destructoid.com/go-get-your-wii-fitness-on-30926.phtml" target="_blank">fitness</a> product. Fans have even found a way to use the Wiimote to measure vehicle <a href="http://www.destructoid.com/wiimote-hack-measures-vehicle-acceleration-36978.phtml" target="_blank">acceleration</a>. Given enough time, who knows what people will think of next? One thing that may have escaped your notice is the dramatic effect the Wii has had on the acceleration sensor industry. </p><p>Since 2006, global sales of accelerometer sensors have tripled in size. Two companies in particular: Analog Devices and STMicroelectonics have reaped the benefits of the Wii's motion-sensing technology. Why? Because they manufacture the key parts that make the magic of the Wiimote and nunchuck possible. Analog Devices has already dedicated an entire production facility to making nothing but remote sensors for the Wii, and STMicroelectronics shouldn't be far behind.&nbsp;</p><p>Now be a good lad and hit the jump for more on this, as well as Gameboi infested opinions (you probably don't agree with) on the matter. </p> <p>
<img src="http://www.destructoid.com/elephant//ul/38677-FINAL-REAGAN.jpg" alt="Trickle down Nintendonomics is alive and well: Ronald Reagan would be so proud screenshot" width="620" border="0" />
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<a target="_blank" href="http://www.destructoid.com/trickle-down-nintendonomics-is-alive-and-well-ronald-reagan-would-be-so-proud-38677.phtml">Read more...</a>tag:http://www.destructoid.com/,2015:/post.phtml?pk=35263William Haleyhttp://www.destructoid.com/blogs/William+HaleyE3 2007: Mercenaries 2 developer walkthrough will make your pants tight2007-07-14T17:51:00Z2007-07-14T17:51:00Z<p>&nbsp;</p><object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" id="gtembed" width="550" height="479"><param name="id" value="gtembed" /><param name="width" value="550" /><param name="height" value="479" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="sameDomain" /><param name="quality" value="high" /><param name="src" value="http://www.gametrailers.com/remote_wrap.php?mid=22092" /><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" id="gtembed" width="550" height="479" allowscriptaccess="sameDomain" quality="high" src="http://www.gametrailers.com/remote_wrap.php?mid=22092"></embed></object><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Towards the end of the Xbox&#39;s lifespan, I had about 75 games for the console that I traded in before GameStop realized they had created a major loophole that made each game worth $15 more than it should have been. If you could buy hookers with GameStop credit, me and my entire family would have every STD known to man, and probably would have helped find some new ones. </p><p>One of the games I absolutely could not part with was <i>Mercenaries: Playground of Destruction</i>. The other one was <i>Dead or Alive Beach Volleyball</i>. Don&#39;t judge me. Anyway, the original <i>Mercenaries</i> was pretty much the most fun I&#39;ve had since that time Chad and I stayed up all night eating triple-chocolate-fudge Haagen-Daaz and watching a Freddie Prinze Jr. marathon. </p><p>That being said, there was plenty of room for improvement, and the inevitable sequel was about as exciting a prospect as a Krista Allen-athon (yes Chad, I get to pick the movies next time!), and Pandemic certainly seems to be embracing everything <i>Mercenaries</i> is and could be. Hit the jump for the E3 video walkthrough and impressions. I can do a duck and Arnold Schwarzenegger... </p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.destructoid.com/e3-2007-mercenaries-2-developer-walkthrough-will-make-your-pants-tight-35263.phtml">Read more...</a>tag:http://www.destructoid.com/,2015:/post.phtml?pk=31769SRVSLPShttp://www.destructoid.com/blogs/SRVSLPSWalter Reed Medical Center: games and their healing touch2007-05-27T16:11:00Z2007-05-27T16:11:00Z<p>Thanks to an aid group called Cause, soldiers at the Walter Reed Medical Center have monthly get togethers of healing, fun, and not so surprising... video games. Although&nbsp;somewhat of&nbsp;an afterthought&nbsp;now, video games weren&#39;t always part of the program.</p><p>You see, back in 2003 when the group first came to be, Cause was more focused on supplying recovering soldiers with day-to-day necessities. It wasn&#39;t until executive director Barbara Lau noticed that the then humble video game lending library was gaining in popularity --&nbsp;she realized they had something big on their hands. </p><p>As the residents there will tell you, video games really can make a difference in their overall morale -- something that every recovering soldier desperately needs. Just take for instance the words of Army Spec. Juan Alcibar: </p><blockquote><p>&quot;When you&#39;re just sitting in your room thinking about what happened, it drives you crazy,&quot; he says. &quot;This is something to get your mind off your sorrows. . . . I wish they had it every week.&quot;</p></blockquote><p>It doesn&#39;t end there, though. Others have noticed the healing power of video games in action. Enter Major Chuck Ziegenfuss:</p><blockquote><p>&nbsp;For soldiers who have just been hit with life-changing injuries, playing games helps reconnect with entertainment they enjoyed before they arrived at the military hospital. Playing games again here &quot;gives them back a sense that they&#39;re normal.&quot;&nbsp;</p></blockquote><p>Running off of donations from various sources, such as <a target="_blank" href="http://www.mlgpro.com/">Major League Gaming</a>, as well as community gifts, Cause has been able to provide an ever-increasing supply of games and consoles to the delight of the soldiers. Since older titles are constantly being traded in or sold to make room for new ones (the rental space is only a walk in closet), soldiers are usually treated to the latest releases.</p><p>Although&nbsp;not the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://soldiersangels.org/index.php?page=home">only</a>&nbsp;group of its kind, Cause seems to be making a difference. News like this is a step in the right direction for video games, and how easy it is to underestimate their positive effects on people. Sadly, this is the sort of thing that somehow slips through the cracks when zealots attack the industry&nbsp;with all of the negative publicity they can manage to drum up.</p><p>[Via <a target="_blank" href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/05/26/AR2007052600144.html">Washingtonpost.com</a>]</p> <p>
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